What Are You Thinking?
Thinking usually precedes acting, or at least it should. When we act without thinking there is generally a regrettable outcome. While thinking is important, what we think about is even more so. Jesus once reprimanded the Pharisees for the evil they were speaking abut Him with these words, “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) Their words and their actions revealed that they were constantly thinking about ways to oppose and attack Jesus. The first half of Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The Pharisees spent so much time thinking about how to get rid of the Lord that it led to action no less than pre-meditated murder. It is obvious that what we think about can be a powerful force.
From the dark and negative side of evil thinking, let us consider the positive value of thoughts produced by the Spirit of Christ. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he urges them to be full of joy. He tells them to not worry, but rather to pray. By so doing they will experience a peace that exceeds human understanding. The Apostle then addresses the issue of thinking. “And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
I am not an advocate of burying our heads in the sand, or being unrealistic about all the troubles in this fallen world. I do think I am within the bounds of reason in stating that thinking about and rehearsing it constantly does absolutely no good. We all know we are living in difficult and distressing times. In the midst of it all, we have a choice. We can think about all the problems, or we can turn our minds toward God’s promises. The choice will make all the difference in your mind and in your heart. So choose carefully.
–Terry Morrison